What can we learn from things fall apart?

It is, after all, a book about the degeneration and destruction of a society. One of its grimmest lessons is that force, not virtue, generally triumphs. Okonkwo is initially a success because of his strength and physical violence. He can dominate all those around him and does so very harshly.

How is things fall apart a tragedy for both society and an individual?

Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe is a tragedy of an individual as well as the society. At the beginning of the novel, the Ibo society was a peaceful, organic society, but at the end of the novel it falls into pieces. Thus the novel records not only the sufferings of Okonko but also his whole society.

What is Achebe’s message in things fall apart?

Writing as an African who had been “Europeanized,” Achebe wrote Things Fall Apart as “an act of atonement with [his] past, the ritual return and homage of a prodigal son.” By his own act, he encourages other Africans, especially ones with Western educations, to realize that they may misperceive their native culture.

What is unique about African culture as shown in things fall apart?

African literature is a manifestation of African culture, African society, African historical, political, social and religious experiences. Thus, it is a reflection and celebration of African culture (Awa, 2006). Achebe therefore depicts an Igbo society which has dignity and prominence in his Things Fall Apart.

Why is things fall apart so important?

In 1959, he published Things Fall Apart as a response to novels, such as Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness, that treat Africa as a primordial and cultureless foil for Europe. Achebe wanted this novel to respond to earlier colonial accounts of Africa; his choice of language was thus political.

What is the main theme of things fall apart?

The Struggle Between Change and Tradition As a story about a culture on the verge of change, Things Fall Apart deals with how the prospect and reality of change affect various characters. The tension about whether change should be privileged over tradition often involves questions of personal status.

What is the greatest influence on Chinua Achebe’s writing?

Achebe was raised in Ogidi, Nigeria by Christian convert parents; therefore, he had an abundance of knowledge about both European and African traditions and culture. The truthful knowledge Chinua possessed about Nigeria influenced him to write a book portraying Africans as realistically as possible.

How has politics influenced Achebe’s writing?

The African writer has been very much influenced by politics, probably because the African intellectual is a part of the political elite. The writer is a sensitive point within his society. Thus, African literature has tended to reflect the political phases on the continent. Chinua Achebe is a very suitable example.

What does the evil forest represent in things fall apart?

It is the name given to one of the elders who represented Umueru village. As a spiritual symbol, Evil Forest is a fearful being who assists in making decisions about village disputes. Both sides of the Evil Forest are important for understanding the idea of fear and evil in Things Fall Apart.

What is the significance of the evil forest?

An Evil Forest was where the clan buried all those who died of the really evil diseases, like leprosy and smallpox. It was also the dumping ground for highly potent fetishes of great medicine men when they died. An Evil Forest was, therefore, alive with sinister forces and powers of darkness.

What drives nwoye away and how does Okonkwo react to his abandonment?

At first, Okonkwo is furious with his son’s action, but he concludes that Nwoye is not worth his anger. Okonkwo fears that, after his death, his younger sons will abandon the family ancestors because they have become attracted to the new religion.

Why is nwoye attracted to Christianity?

Why is Nwoye attracted to the missionaries? Nwoye likes the poetry of the new religion and it reminds him of his mothers stories. He switched to Christianity to get away from his father (rebellion). Uchendu agreed to give the missionaries are section of the Evil Forest.

What happens to nwoye in things fall apart?

With the unconscionable murder of Ikemefuna, however, Nwoye retreats into himself and finds himself forever changed. His reluctance to accept Okonkwo’s masculine values turns into pure embitterment toward him and his ways.

How do his feelings toward nwoye compare with his feelings toward ikemefuna?

Okonkwo enjoys Ikemefuna and loves him like a son. Nwoye is Okonkwo’s biological son who he views with contempt. In contrast to Ikemefuna, Okonkwo feels that Nwoye is effeminate and overly sensitive. Okonkwo shuns Nwoye and wishes that Ikemefuna was his biological son.